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The report monitors the state-level implementation of Brazil's Forest Code in 2020, highlighting that while CAR registration is widespread, the analysis and validation phase remains a critical bottleneck. It notes that only six states have effectively implemented the PRA and discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and federal-level policy uncertainties on these processes.

Brazil is characterized as a global leader in renewable energy and a sophisticated nuclear actor, yet it faces severe systemic risks. The country is pursuing a nuclear-powered submarine program while managing rising deforestation in the Amazon and significant climate threats, including projected temperature increases of 1°C to 2.2°C by 2060. These environmental stressors intersect with deep socioeconomic inequality, a fragile healthcare system strained by COVID-19, and political instability marked by a shift toward authoritarianism and widespread corruption. The document argues that the intersection of these climate, health, and political crises could undermine Brazil's stability and its role in the international order.

The document argues that Brazil's air conditioning sector suffers from low energy efficiency compared to international standards, partly due to industrial policies in the Zona Franca de Manaus (ZFM) that create distortions. It finds that the Basic Productive Process (PPB) requirements, such as the use of outdated national compressors, hinder the adoption of inverter technology and overall efficiency. Despite significant tax exemptions, the sector's productive and energy efficiency deteriorated between 2003 and 2015, contrasting with the stability of the broader Brazilian manufacturing industry. The authors recommend aligning industrial and energy policies to promote competitiveness and higher efficiency standards.

The document argues that Brazil's air conditioning (AC) sector lags in energy efficiency compared to international peers and that the current industrial policy in the Manaus Free Trade Zone (ZFM) creates distortions that hinder efficiency gains. Despite significant tax exemptions, the Basic Production Process (PPB) requirements—such as the mandatory use of domestically produced, outdated non-inverter compressors—conflict with energy efficiency goals. The brief recommends aligning industrial policy with energy performance standards and labeling policies to foster a more competitive and efficient sector.

The report finds that the air-conditioning sector in Brazil suffers from low energy efficiency compared to international standards, with a deterioration in both productive and energy efficiency between 2003 and 2015. Despite significant tax exemptions provided by the Zona Franca de Manaus (ZFM), which accounted for approximately R$ 285 million in 2015 for the AC sector, these incentives have not translated into improved efficiency or higher wages for workers. The authors argue that the Basic Productive Process (PPB) requirements, particularly those mandating the use of outdated national compressors, create distortions that hinder the adoption of modern technologies like inverter compressors and suppress competition. Consequently, rising sales of inefficient AC units, driven by heatwaves and increased income, have led to a 237% increase in residential electricity consumption for ACs between 2005 and 2017.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) identifies three factors driving the adoption of open science in Latin America and the Caribbean: a high reliance on public funding for research, a long history of open access initiatives dating back to the 1970s, and the creation of regional governance tools like the Escazú Agreement. The document highlights the FAPESP foundation in Brazil as a successful public funding model and advocates for the reform of scientific publishing economic models, specifically criticizing article processing charges. It suggests that South-South cooperation, including learning from ASEAN countries and the African Open Science Platform, can strengthen the Global South's voice in the international science community.

The report provides a detailed 'radiography' of how Brazilian states are implementing the 2012 Forest Code. It identifies the analysis and validation of the CAR as the primary bottleneck and notes that while some states like Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso, and Pará have made significant progress, others remain severely delayed in regulating and operationalizing the PRA. The document also highlights the role of the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB) in developing technological tools to scale these processes.

The report provides a comprehensive 'radiography' of how Brazilian states are implementing the Forest Code. It identifies a significant gap between the high rates of CAR registration and the slow progress of CAR validation and PRA implementation. While some states in the North and Center-West regions are advanced, the Northeast region lags behind. The document highlights systemic barriers, including a lack of technical resources, poor quality of self-declared data, and a heavy dependence on the federal government's SICAR system. It also examines state-specific rules for restoring Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and Legal Reserves (RL), noting wide variations in restoration deadlines and methodologies.

Attend Ambiental issued a BRL55m (USD13m) green bond on 09-10-2019 with a maturity date of 15-10-2026. The bond is designated as the first Brazilian green bond to exclusively finance water and waste projects, specifically targeting the refinancing of industrial waste treatment facilities in Barueri, Sao Paulo. The proceeds cover a loan from US Bank and Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura (CIFI) used for plant construction, extension, and investments in four pre-treatment lines. The issuer, a partnership between Sabesp and Estre, commits to annual reporting on the allocation of proceeds and impacts via its website and Sustainability Report.

The IAI Executive Directorate is implementing a multifaceted approach to improve the provision of scientific information to governments in the Americas. This includes drafting procedural regulations for the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), establishing links with multilateral environmental agreements, and strengthening the capacity of member states to integrate science into public policy. The report highlights the conclusion of the third round of Cooperative Research Networks (CRN3), detailing how specific projects on nitrogen cycles, tropical dry forests, water security, and marine ecosystems have influenced national policies and management plans in countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Mexico.

The IAI Directorate is implementing Phase One of its Long-Term Funding Strategy, which focuses on planning, preparation, and identifying potential donors across philanthropy, entertainment, politics, and technology sectors. Key efforts include seeking 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the United States to facilitate external funding and pursuing 'Readiness Delivery Partner' status with the Green Climate Fund to support member countries. The IAI is also engaging in strategic partnerships, such as a climate resilient governance program for megacities in South America involving Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, and a global project on climate change and migration (SOURCES) led by the University of Amsterdam.

The IAI Executive Directorate reports on its five-year communication plan to better integrate scientific data into policy. Key achievements include a MOOC reaching 10,000 participants, a significant increase in social media engagement, and collaborations with UN agencies (UNOSSC, UNFCCC) on publications regarding urban climate management and coastal loss and damage. The IAI also produced eight synthesis reports on regional environmental issues and held high-level events at COP-24 and the AGU Centennial.

The IAI Directorate's report details the implementation of the IAI Long-Term Communications Strategy and Plan, focusing on increasing public awareness and providing scientific data to policymakers. Key activities include joint publications with UN agencies, the development of project briefs on climate and environmental issues, and the use of social media and online courses to disseminate research findings.

The document argues that the rapporteur's proposal for MPV 867/2018 introduces drastic changes to Law 12.651/2012 that could paralyze environmental regularization, increase legal uncertainty, and incentivize illegal deforestation. Key concerns include shifting the responsibility for PRA adherence from landowners to state agencies, altering Legal Reserve calculations to be based on existing native vegetation rather than total property area, and creating a new legal regime for specific biomes that may not guarantee ecosystem integrity.

Vigeo Eiris conducted a pre-issuance verification of AES Tietê Energia's 2019 Green Bond, confirming that the proceeds intended for the Guaimbé and AGV solar power plants in Brazil meet the Climate Bonds Standard version 2.1 and Solar Sector Criteria version 2.0. The bond, with anticipated proceeds up to BRL 820 million, aims to finance projects with a total installed capacity of 225 MW and an expected annual electricity generation of 480 GWh. The verification found that the projects are eligible under the 'Solar' classification of the Climate Bonds Taxonomy and that the issuer has established appropriate internal processes for tracking proceeds and managing unallocated funds.

The paper examines the decline of urban accessibility in the global South due to rapid urbanization and motorization. It introduces an access-mobility framework to categorize under-served residents and proposes three priority action areas: building safe, democratic street networks; developing integrated, user-oriented transport services; and managing private vehicle demand. The authors emphasize that these actions require capable governance and sustainable funding models to move cities from a vicious cycle of car-dependency to a virtuous cycle of balanced, multimodal transport.

The statement by Friends of the Earth International contends that the legal proceedings against Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva are unconstitutional and serve as a tool for conservative elites to block his return to power. It links his detention to a broader pattern of democratic erosion in Brazil, starting with the 2016 removal of Dilma Rousseff, and highlights the resulting negative impacts on social services, indigenous and peasant rights, and the environment. The text specifically criticizes the influence of 'criminal climate' companies like Shell and Chevron under the Michel Temer administration and reports a rise in violence against human rights defenders.

The IAI Directorate Science reports on the final phase of the third Collaborative Research Network (CRN3), the launch of the Small Grant Program on ecosystem services and human wellbeing (SGP-HW), and the planning for the fourth Collaborative Research Network (CRN4). Key initiatives include a co-design process for climate adaptation in the megacities of Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Santiago de Chile, and a collaborative research framework with Argentina's CONICET. The Directorate is shifting toward a co-funding model to diversify science funding and is emphasizing transdisciplinary research aligned with international frameworks like the SDGs.

The meeting, held on 2-3 April 2018, brought together policy makers, scientists, and international organizations to establish a co-designed research program for megacities in the South. The initiative aims to provide scientific guidance for adaptation and mitigation actions, specifically targeting decarbonization in transport, housing, and waste management, as well as addressing climate-related health risks and extreme weather events. The participants outlined a seven-component research plan emphasizing governance, social dimensions of adaptation, and capacity building to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals in Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Sao Paulo.

The report examines the growing global need for cooling, driven by urbanization and rising incomes, particularly in developing countries. It warns that a surge in air conditioning (AC) use could lead to massive increases in electricity demand and urban heat island effects. The document also details the critical role of cold chains in reducing food loss and ensuring vaccine viability, while emphasizing the need to 'leapfrog' high-emission cooling technologies to avoid severe environmental impacts.